Agenda item

Presentation by Josie O’Driscoll and Joseph Baker.

Josie O’Driscoll and Joseph Baker from GATE Herts delivered a presentation on the work of a community organisation founded in 2010, which is led by individuals of Irish Traveller and Romani heritage. The organisation focuses on promoting social justice, equality, and human rights, with a strong emphasis on combating discrimination and collaborating on racial justice campaigns. The speakers highlighted the distinction between Gypsies and Irish Travellers, stressing the need for separate recognition in census data to better understand and address the specific needs of these communities, which are often lumped together under a single category. This misrepresentation leads to challenges in obtaining accurate statistics and resources for each community, exacerbated by historical discrimination that discourages individuals from identifying themselves in official documents.

The speakers also spoke about the historical presence of Gipsies and Travellers in the UK, emphasising the distinct identities of Roman Gipsies and Irish Travellers. They highlighted the persecution faced by these communities, including historical genocide and ongoing discrimination. They addressed the misconceptions surrounding their identities and the need for better representation in educational resources. They also spoke about the challenges faced by Gipsies and Travellers in terms of health, employment, and social acceptance, revealing high levels of racial abuse and discrimination. The speakers advocate for more inclusive policies and services to support  Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) families and combat negative social attitudes.

Officers highlighted the struggle regarding disclosure of ethnicity at the Council as well. They expressed interest in finding ways to support their community better. Events like Gypsy Travel History Month was suggested to raise awareness and comfort among staff regarding data collection. The speakers also noted that research shows mixed reactions to ethnic monitoring, emphasising the importance of transparency about the purpose and use of collected data, referencing historical mistrust stemming from events like the Holocaust. Overall, the conversation focused on the need for trust and understanding in data collection processes to foster participation.

The speakers highlighted the difficulties these families encounter in the education system, referencing a 2022 ONS report that identifies discrimination as a barrier. They propose solutions such as increased cultural sensitivity and flexibility in school enrolment and also acknowledged the efforts made during the pandemic to support nomadic children through distance learning and tutoring. They point out that while primary education may be manageable, challenges arise in secondary education due to lack of support and understanding from teachers, as well as a curriculum that does not reflect the experiences of Gypsy and Traveller children. The focus needs to be on fostering better communication and trust-building between schools and the families to improve educational outcomes.

Members of the sub-committee expressed their shock at the lack of assistance available for scheduling doctor's appointments, deeming it unacceptable in modern times. They highlighted the need for community education, particularly among the youth, to address fears surrounding groups of travellers. They also acknowledged the negative reputation that some groups have, which can lead to fear among the community and suggested that improving group behaviour could enhance their reputation and community acceptance.

Officers also spoke about the cultural differences among various communities and the complaints they receive, which often stem from racism. They emphasised the importance of understanding these cultural clashes and expressed a desire to collaborate with the community to review and potentially revise cemetery regulations. The aim is to allow communities to express themselves during difficult times while maintaining necessary regulations. Officers would like to establish a connection with the community for feedback and future collaboration. Action – Shivani Dave to reach out on behalf of the Council.